Cars released in India from the Flintstone's era till date

This is a discussion on Cars released in India from the Flintstone's era till date within The Indian Car Scene, part of the BHP India category; - Sipani D1 (Looked like a 800 - was probably a 4 door version of the dolphin)
- San Storm...

Wow, that's a huge addition. Thanks.
But you are wrong about the Palio---it was introduced in October 2001, not in 1999. I was waiting for its launch, but as it got delayed, I ended up buying a WagonR in July, 2001

Was HM Landmaster the car also known as Baby Hindustan? Tatamobile predates Tata estate and Sierra.

Anyway, I think your list is covering the 99% chunk of the cars released (By Indian Manufacturers). But since you have also included CBU imports, I think you will be way way late.

Indians have had cars since 1898. The Maharajas etc. and others too. There were Imported cars with offices of every major manufacturer, in Deli, Mumbai, Kolkatta & Chennai. There were some other direct importers too. Infact my great grandfather had bought his 1st car in 1931 (and we have always had cars since then).

There are enough records, photographs & movies of that time to show the presence of these cars. A lot of those cars have been associated with many stories too, especially Rolls.

Infact I am posting the following from another internet site:

It was in 1898 that the first motorcar rode down India’s roads. From then till the First World War, about 4,000 cars were directly imported to India from foreign manufacturers. The growing demand for these cars established the inherent requirements of the Indian market that these merchants were quick to pounce upon.

The Hindustan Motors (HM) was set up in 1942 and in 1944, Premier Autobackmobile (PAL) was established to manufacture automobiles in India. However, it was PAL who produced the first car in India in 1946, as HM concentrated on auto components and could produce their first car only in 1949.

It was left to another company, Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) to manufacture sturdier utility vehicles, namely the American Jeep.

In the 50s, the Government of India granted approval to only 7 car dealers to operate in India - HM, API, ALL, SMPIL, PAL, M&M and Telco.

The protectionist policies continued to remain in place. The 60s witnessed the establishment of the two-three wheeler industry in India and in the 70s, things remained much the same.

Since the 80s, the Indian car Industry has seen a major resurgence with the opening up of Indian shores to foreign manufacturers and collaborators.

The 90s have become the melting point for the car industry in India. The consumer is king. He is being constantly wooed by both the Indian and foreign manufacturers. Though sales had taken a dip in the first few months of 1999, it is back to boom time. New models like Maruti’s Classic, Alto, Station Wagon, Ford’s Ikon, the new look Mitsubishi Lancer are all being launched with an eye on the emerging market.

Indians have had cars since 1898. The Maharajas etc. and others too. There were Imported cars with offices of every major manufacturer, in Deli, Mumbai, Kolkatta & Chennai. There were some other direct importers too. Infact my great grandfather had bought his 1st car in 1931 (and we have always had cars since then).

Exactly alankarm. My grandpa was a dealer for Ford cars in North AP and Orissa. Cars were imported from a Ford unit based at Ontario, Canada to Vizag by ship. My dad and uncles used to drive them to dealerships in Vizag, Vizianagaram, Berhampur (HQ), Cuttack and Rourkela.
From what my dad told me, they used to sell at around 9 to 10 k INR, and the dealer's commision was around 40%! Now I know why gramps was such a rich man!

-Zen Carbon and Zen Steel limited editions
-Amby Avigo
-Sonalika Rhino
-..... ill add more when more of these names come to mind.
great thread. its nice to have an archive.
i guess it should be made sticky once the excel sheet is drawn out and the sheet must be updated regularly.
also, the best way to get the list of ALL the cars in india is to get a list of cars ARAI has homologated. i guess that should do it.
i checked on the arai website but there is no such list. Hence might mail them asking for it.